Mouthpiece



Nov. 24, 1936. B, cAvAzzA MOUTHPIECE Fil ed July 15. 1935 zeay'anukad. (Zyaz'Za M A Home);

Patented Nov. 24-, 1936 UNITE ATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to means utilized by undertakers and embalmers for holding the mouth of a corpse in shape and lips closed, and particularly to means to be disposed. within the mouth and to be supported by the teeth and gums, including means for engaging the inner side of the lips of the mouth, whereby the mouth is permanently and securely held over a wide area.

An important object of my invention is to provide means of the character indicated which can be readily changed in size and specific shape to fit different mouths, and which is very easily installed and brought to the desired contour after installation, so that a natural and desirable positicn of the lips may be achieved and maintained.

Another important object of my invention is to provide means of the character indicated above which is not subject to deterioration from moisture and other fluid in the mouth which usually destroys the utility and efficiency of sewing and the like used by present devices of this character, so that a more natural position may be initially given the lips of the mouth and be permanently maintained without further adjustment.

Other important objects of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the mouth of a corpse, showing the device of the invention applied in front of the upper and lower teeth and engaging the inner side of the lips.

Figure 2 is a view of the upper section of the embodiment.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the lower section of the embodiment.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through Figure 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5 generally refers to the mouth of the corpse which includes the upper lip 6, the lower lip l, the upper teeth 8, and the lower teeth 9.

The device of the invention comprises a thin sheet metal member which is formed of the sections l and H, the section Ill being the upper section and the section l l the lower section. Any suitable material such as copper, aluminum and the like which is readily obtainable in thin sheets and is pliable would be suitable, so that the same could be bent after placement in the mouth and be subject to being cut with a small shears before installation when fitting a particular mouth.

The upper section I0 comprises the half-elliptical plate I2 which has an indentation H3 in the middle of its upper edge and on each side of this indentation a number of upwardly pointing triangular prongs it. smaller prong it which extends downwardly and forwardly from the front side of the plate it, for engaging the inner side of the upper lip 6 as indicated in Figure l, the long prongs M being inserted between the gum and the front of the upper teeth 8 as indicated in Figure 1 so that the plate l2 lies along the front of the upper teeth and the section is securely held in place. The upper section is installed by pushing the prongs M up into place and when this has been accomplished, drawing down the upper lip 6 and engaging the same on the small prongs It. The lower section H is similar to the upper section except that the indentation 113 is absent and the long prongs It point downwardly, while the short prongs l point upwardly and forwardly. The small prongs in each of the sections are conveniently formed by punching out areas so that openings it are left.

The sheet material of which the device of the invention is made must be sufficiently soft and pliable to permit the embalmer to bend and fit the two sections to the mouth of a particular corpse, and cut the same with a scissors to fit smaller mouths, protruding teeth, or any other deformity.

It is to be observed that the lips are fastened in several places along their lengths so that their ends will not separate as frequently happens where the present method of sewing the middle portions of the lips together is utilized, since the corners of the mouth are apt to pull apart and cause the entire mouth to pull open as the thread becomes wet and stretches.

The device of the invention will hold the entire mouth in shape, keeping the lips in a natural position permanently, regardless of the position of the mouth at the time of the death of the deceased.

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes may be made in the materials, and in the structure and arrangement of the parts, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

Below each prong M is a 1. A device of the class described comprising a member formed of sheet material in semielliptical form and having prongs formed on its curved edge, and secondary prongs on the front side projecting outwardly from a point laterally inwardly of the first mentioned prongs.

2. A device of the character described comprising an elongated member having outwardly extending prongs on its longitudinal edge and forwardly projecting secondary prongs on its front side.

3. A device of the character described comprising an elongated plate having prongs on one longitudinal edge adapted to be inserted between the front of the front teeth and the gums of a deceased so as to mount the plate on the front of the teeth, and forwardly extending prongs on said plate for hooking into the lip and holding the same in place.

4. A device of the character described comprising an elongated flexible plate having prongs on one longitudinal edge for insertion between the front of the front teeth and the gums of the mouth of a deceased, the front of said plate having forwardly projecting curved prongs for engaging in the lip of the deceased for holding the lip in place.

5. A device of the character described comprising an elongated flexible plate having prongs on one longitudinal edge for insertion between the front of the front teeth and the gums of the mouth of a deceased, said plate having cuts therein with the material lying between the cuts bent to define forwardly projecting prongs for engaging in the lip of the deceased for holding the lip in place.

6. A device of the character described comprising an elongated flexible plate having an outwardly curved longitudinal edge and a substantially straight longitudinal edge, prongs projecting from said curved edge for insertion between the front of the front teeth and the gums of a deceased, said prongs lying substantially. in the plane of the plate.

'7. A device of the character described comprising an elongated flexible plate having an outwardly curved longitudinal edge and a substantially straight longitudinal edge, prongs projecting from said curved edge for insertion between the front of the front teeth and the gums of a deceased, said prongs lying substantially in the plane of the plate, said plate having second and curved prongs projecting laterally outwardly from the front side of said plate and in a direction opposite to the first prongs, said second prongs being arranged to engage the inner side of the lip of the deceased to hold the lip in place.

8. A device of the character described comprising an elongated flexible plate having an outwardly curved longitudinal edge and a substantially straight longitudinal edge, prongs projecting from said curved edge for insertion between the front of the front teeth and the gums of a deceased, said prongs lying substantially in the plane of the plate, said curved longitudinal edge having an indentation adjacent its middle between two adjacent prongs.

BENJAMIN A. CAVAZZA. 

